Defense, Shafer ready to roll as spring practice begins

@MTAthletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – New Middle Tennessee defensive coordinator Scott Shafer enters his first spring practice this week with plenty to learn about his team.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Blue Raiders will be tasked this season with replacing five starters from 2016, including four along the line and their best defensive back, Jeremy Cutrer. They will attempt to find new guys to step up all while implementing Shafer's famed attacking 4-3 defense.

"The first thing in the spring is there will be a lot of evaluations going on personnel-wise with regards to positions," Shafer said. "There's also evaluation in such a way where we can see who can learn well, who our…